5 Easy, Party-Ready Napkin Folding Ideas

Impress your guests with a cute last-minute flourish.

Napkin folding? Really, are we on a cruise ship? The truth is, a few simple, origami-inspired folds are a quick and easy way to take your tablescape from ordinary to conversation-worthy. Take a cue from old-school hostesses with new-school tricks, patterns, and more colorful table linens. As far as how to make each design happen, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Courtesy of Brit + Co.

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1. Utensil Pocket
How convenient is that? This would be perfect for a less formal, picnic-inspired table setting. It would also be a cute way to keep utensils in order for buffet-style dining.

Courtesy of Brit + Co.

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2. Heart
This one takes two napkins — it's sort of like those old "best friends" necklaces, but made of napkins! This would be the sweetest way to display napkins for an impromptu dinner for two.

Courtesy of Brit + Co.

3. Envelope
I love the idea of using this option to hide a small gift or favor as a surprise for your guests. Depending on the type of event you are hosting, you could put a photo, a personal note, or a business card inside.

Courtesy of Brit + Co.

4. Bow
This option requires a ribbon or napkin ring around the center. Naturally, I went with a 3D-printed napkin ring. That's right — I pressed one button to print out that bright turquoise geometric ring in less than ten minutes.

Courtesy of Brit + Co.

5. Lotus
Finally, the mother lode of all napkin folding tutorials. It makes a great centerpiece — though it's so pretty, you might not want to disassemble it! As you can see in the photos, it's similar to creating an old-school fortune teller or "cootie catcher." Just like you would a fortune teller, flip the napkin over between steps to complete the next fold, and make the final lotus shape by giving the bottom fold on each corner a tug to invert it a little. Watch this video to see how easy this impressive design is.

Get more modern-day home, cooking, and style ideas in Brit's new book, Homemakers.